EP3861188B1 - Electrified strip arrangement - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a connection arrangement and a strip arrangement for electrically connecting an electrified surface element formed with an electrical peripheral contact to an electrical device.

State of the art

Today there is no uniform and widespread solution for contacting intelligent glass or functional surface elements or electrified surface elements. For example, intelligent glass can be understood as glass panes that can change their appearance through physical influences such as UV radiation, heat or electricity, for example also dimmable glass. A special film is laminated between two panes of glass and contacted via electrical contacts that lead out of the glass. Contact to the power source is made by soldering or by a plug-in connection with cables. The cables must be led away from the surface element and laid in a protected manner and connected to a supply/signal source, usually this is done freely wired. In general, the invention also relates to less complex applications such as in document DE 103 60 255 A1 shown where the same problem occurs in the automotive sector with a heated window.

The DE 20 2015 008 064 U1 discloses structural components of an awning arranged transversely to one another. An electrical supply line can be laid through one of the structural components to supply an element that is independent of the structural components. The particular disadvantage here is that the structural components are contacted only at the respective end regions of the structural components.

The WO 2012/148103 A1 reveals a window with a color-sensitive solar cell and an electrochromic window. The disadvantage here is that only the use of solar cell modules in windows is shown and other possible applications where a view through the window is desired are not taken into account. Due to the orthogonal position of the solar cell to the frame element, there is increased assembly effort. In addition, the overall structure, on the one hand the creation of the solar cell module and on the other hand the additional cabling of the individual modules in a frame, is complex to implement.

EP 3 219 529 A1 describes a plastic profile with a U-shaped cross section and with an integrated metallic reinforcing element.

A specialist is usually required for the power supply and the contacting of the surface element. Cable routing must be provided in the adjacent components or at least enough mounting space, which influences the design of these components. Loose cables make it difficult to assemble individual surface elements, e.g segmented large area, comprising several smaller area elements. Depending on the installation, the cables and contacts are visible, which is of course less visually appealing and more likely to indicate an unfinished solution. It is therefore desirable to eliminate these disadvantages and provide a more suitable solution.

Brief description of the invention

According to the invention, a connection arrangement according to claim 1 and a strip arrangement according to claim 10 are proposed.

An electrified pane made of intelligent glass or electrochromic glass can be used as a surface element. The invention covers both single glazing and multiple glazing.

The invention is based on the idea of reducing the assembly effort for electrified surface elements by using the highest possible proportion of identical parts, which cost-effectively reduce and simplify the wiring and contacting effort for electrified surface elements.

The solution according to the invention eliminates the disadvantages mentioned and provides a high level of flexibility, because due to the implementation according to the invention, the strip arrangement - regardless of the position of the peripheral contact - can be used on surface elements with peripheral contacts in a wide variety of positions. A large number of surface elements from different manufacturers can be provided with the same strip arrangement. The strip arrangement according to the invention can easily be produced as a strand by extrusion. It is also conceivable to produce a standard length, which the customer can cut and edit themselves (e.g. miter cutting to encompass corners of surface elements). Alternatively, specially shaped connecting elements with electrical conductors can be used to connect strips.

Advantageous refinements are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

Beneficial effects

The conductor is preferably realized using a metal (e.g. stranded wire, wire, etc.). The advantage of this variant is that the electrical losses in the conductor are minimal and the conductor can be easily introduced into the plastic frame element during, for example, extrusion of the plastic frame element. This arrangement is inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities with minimal cycle times.

Alternatively, the conductor can be realized exclusively by means of an electrically conductive second plastic, the electrical resistance of which, due to the presence of electrically conductive plastic additives (e.g. soot, metal particles and the like), is many times lower than the conductivity of a first plastic, by means of which the Plastic frame element can be realized. The advantage of this variant is that both the conductor and the frame element can be produced inexpensively and in large quantities with equally short cycle times by means of co-extrusion of the first and second plastic.

As a further alternative, the conductor can also be realized using a combination of the two previously mentioned variants, namely an electrically conductive second plastic and a metal. In this case, a metallic conductor represents the conductor core, which can be melted or covered by the second plastic at least in sections and at least on the surface element side. The production can be carried out by co-extrusion of the first and second plastic with simultaneous introduction of the metallic conductor. This solution is just as advantageous as the two solutions mentioned above.

To produce the connection, a plurality of first contact elements, in particular spring contact elements, are preferably provided along the conductor, the conductor and/or the contact elements preferably being formed in one piece. Conductors and contact elements can therefore be produced easily and inexpensively, for example by means of a metal strip, which is processed according to the invention in such a way that a continuous conductor with contact springs arranged along the conductor results.

As an alternative to the aforementioned variant, a freely positionable coupling element can be provided along the conductor in order to make the strip configurable. Several coupling elements can be provided in conjunction with several mutually insulated conductors to realize several connections that are electrically insulated from one another in order to also cover more complex fields of application. For example, electrified surface segments that can be controlled in segments within a single surface element or a wall comprising several surface elements which are connected to one another by means of segmented and/or continuous strip arrangements should be mentioned here.

It is preferably provided that the coupling element comprises second contact elements for contacting the conductor and/or the peripheral contact, so that contacting the coupling element with the conductor and/or contacting the coupling element with the peripheral contact can be achieved during the connection production. This has the advantage that all electrical components initially remain electrically isolated from one another until the strip arrangement is attached to the surface element. This Contact elements are preferably implemented as a piercing contact and/or as a cutting contact. Both variants are suitable for puncturing the conductive and/or non-conductive plastic jacket of the conductor at specific points only when the plastic frame element is arranged on the surface element or for cutting it open locally and transversely to the conductor extension, so that the conductor is only contacted at the desired positions for establishing a connection.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned features can also be present in their majority, for example two or more conductors insulated from each other can be provided and extend along the plastic frame element.

Furthermore, the circumferential contact, particularly in the case of two or more conductors, can be insulated from one or more of the conductors in defined areas. As a result, only selected conductors can be selectively contacted in an electrically conductive manner in a circumscribed area.

Connecting elements are preferably provided for connecting individual plastic frame elements with electrical conductors.

The connecting elements also have one or more electrical conductors at the level of the electrical conductors. Depending on the shape of the connecting element, these serve to connect two strips according to the invention in a longitudinal direction or to connect two strips at a 90 ° angle to one another, but other angles are also possible and within the scope of the invention. Optionally, the electrical supply line for powering the strip arrangement can also be located in a connecting element.

It is also understood that the above-mentioned features and the features to be explained below can appear in the drawings not only in the respective combination of features specified, but also in other combinations of features not explicitly mentioned here or in isolation or in isolation, without the scope of the Invention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention is then shown roughly schematically using the following exemplary embodiments in the drawings and briefly described with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent features are provided with the same reference numbers unless otherwise stated.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figures 1a and 1b show a first variant of the strip arrangement according to the invention
• Figures 2a and 2 B show a second variant of the strip arrangement according to the invention
• Figure 3 shows a third variant of the strip arrangement according to the invention
• Figure 4 shows a fourth variant of the strip arrangement according to the invention
• Figures 5a and 5b show connecting elements according to the invention

Detailed description of the drawings

The following Figures 1a to 4 show exemplary and preferred variants of the strip arrangement 100 according to the invention in a sectional view. The assemblies shown here each include a surface element 105 in the form of an electrified pane (eg electrochromic glass), which is designed with an external flexible ribbon conductor or an electrically conductive film as a peripheral contact 106. An electrical device is required (not shown) to control (e.g. data, signals) or to supply energy (e.g. electrical current and/or electrical voltage) to the electrochromic layer. By means of the strip arrangement 100 according to the invention, the connection between the peripheral contact 106 of the surface element 105 and the device can be advantageously realized. In the Figures 1a to 4 A plastic frame element 101, which is preferably U-shaped in cross section, each with two electrical conductors 102 and a surface element 105 with peripheral contact 106 are shown roughly schematically. The plastic frame element 101 runs on both sides along the edge of the surface element 105. In addition to the U-shaped cross section, other cross sections are also conceivable, for example an L-shaped cross section. In any case, at least one contact surface must be provided for arranging the plastic frame element 101 on the edge of the surface element.

Figure 1a shows, for example, a first strip arrangement 100, in which the opposing conductors 102 are provided on the surface element side and along the plastic frame element 101, so that the conductors 102 automatically and directly come into contact with the peripheral contacts 106 during the arrangement of the plastic frame element 101 on the peripheral section 107 and an electrical Connection between the electrical conductors 102 and the peripheral contacts 106 is established. In Figure 1a only a left-side contact to the first conductor 102 is indicated, while the right-side conductor 102 is intended for a second peripheral contact 106 (not shown) provided elsewhere. Both conductors 102 are enclosed by a conductive plastic 109, which directly adjoins the plastic of the plastic frame element 101 or, for example, is preferably connected to it in a materially bonded manner by means of co-extrusion. The plastic frame element 101 can be designed to be resilient, so that the surface element 105 is clamped with its peripheral contacts 106 between the conductors 102 of both frame element legs (eg with a suitably designed U-shape). Alternatively, secure contact can also be achieved by gluing the plastic frame element 101 on (eg with L-shape), so that the circumferential contacts 106 are clamped between the conductors 102 and the surface element 105.

Figure 1b shows a strip arrangement 100 with a surface element 105 in the form of a simple glass pane and a peripheral contact 106 in the form of a conductive film. The peripheral contact 106 comprises an electrically insulating layer 113 between the contact points with the electrical conductors 102. The plastic frame element 101 has electrical conductors 102 on both sides, which are surrounded by an electrically conductive plastic 109. Incidentally, this previously applies to Figure 1a Said.

Figure 2a shows, for example, a second strip arrangement 100, in which a plurality of contact elements 108 are preferably provided continuously along two opposing conductors 102, the conductors 102 and the contact elements 108 preferably each being formed in one piece. This is preferably an elastic material for the realization of spring contact elements, which automatically rest resiliently on the circumferential contacts 106 during the arrangement of the plastic frame element 101 on the circumferential section 107 and thus establish an electrical connection between the electrical conductors 102 and the circumferential contacts 106. In Figure 2a only a left-side contact to the first conductor 102 is indicated, while the right-side conductor 102 is intended for a second peripheral contact 106 (not shown) provided elsewhere. Both conductors 102 are preferably enclosed at least in sections by the material of the plastic frame element 101, whereas the contact elements 108 protrude from the legs of the plastic frame element 101 and, as shown, are shaped in such a way that they rest resiliently on the peripheral contact 106.

The Figure 2b shows several conductors 102 arranged one above the other, with the conductors 102 located at the same height lying opposite each other in pairs. For selective electrical contacting, the area of the peripheral contact 106, which is not intended to come into contact with the conductor 102, is provided with an electrically insulating layer 113. In Figure 2b only a left-side contact to the first conductor 102 is indicated, while the right-side conductor 102 is intended for a second peripheral contact 106 (not shown) provided elsewhere. The conductors 102 are preferably at least partially enclosed by the material of the plastic frame element 101, whereas the contact elements 108 protrude from the legs of the plastic frame element 101 and are shaped in such a way that they rest resiliently on the peripheral contact 106.

Figure 3 shows, for example, a third strip arrangement 100, in which a freely positionable and electrically conductive coupling element 104 is provided along two opposing conductors 102 for indirectly contacting the circumferential contacts 106. This can automatically apply to the peripheral contacts 106 and the conductors 102 during the arrangement of the plastic frame element 101 on the peripheral section 107 and thus establish an electrical connection between the conductors 102 and the peripheral contacts 106. In Figure 3 only a left-side contact to the first conductor 102 is indicated, while the right-side conductor 102 is intended for a second peripheral contact 106 (not shown) provided elsewhere. To contact the conductors 102 and/or the peripheral contacts 106, a cutting contact 103 can be provided in order to contact the plastic jacket 112 of the conductors 102 and/or the conductors 102 at least in sections or to penetrate into the electrical conductors 102 in order to establish the electrical contact. By means of different dimensions and a large number of cutting contacts 103, a large number of mutually insulated conductors 102 could be contacted independently of one another, for example by means of different cutting depths.

The plastic frame element 101 can be designed to be stiffer overall along the circumference than on the surface element-side groove leg area 111. This can be achieved by co-extrusion of similar materials with different Shore hardnesses or by co-extrusion of different materials with the same Shore hardness or from a combination of different types of materials, each with different Shore hardness. On the outside, for example, a thermoplastic could be provided and on the groove leg area 111, for example, an elastomer 110 could be provided, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The elastomer 110 could simultaneously function as a conductor jacket 112 in the area surrounding the conductor 102 and be provided with electrically conductive additives at least in sections.

Figure 4 shows, for example, a fourth strip arrangement 100, with an electrically conductive coupling element 104 that can be freely positioned along the conductors 102 and is provided along two conductors 102 running parallel and next to one another for indirect contacting of the peripheral contacts 106. During the arrangement of the plastic frame element 101 on the peripheral section 107, this can automatically rest on or penetrate the peripheral contacts 106 and the conductors 102 and thus establish an electrical connection between the conductors 102 and the peripheral contacts 106. In Figure 4 only a left-side contact to the first conductor 102 is indicated, while the right-side conductor 102 is intended for a second peripheral contact 106 (not shown) provided elsewhere. To contact the conductors 102, a piercing contact 103 can be provided in order to pierce the plastic jacket 112 of the conductors 102 and at least partially penetrate into the electrical conductors 102 and thus establish the electrical contact. By means of different dimensions and a large number of piercing contacts 103, a large number of mutually insulated conductors 102 could be contacted independently of one another, for example by means of different piercing depths. The U-shaped plastic frame element 101 can include a further groove at the bottom of the groove, within which the two conductors 102 run isolated from one another. The groove can be filled with another plastic 110. This plastic 110 can be realized by co-extrusion of similar materials with different Shore hardnesses or by co-extrusion of different materials of the same Shore hardness or can be realized from a combination of different materials with different Shore hardnesses. This plastic 110 could simultaneously function as a conductor jacket in the area surrounding the conductor 102 and be provided with electrically conductive additives at least in sections.

In the variants Figure 3 and 4 For example, a TPE material could be designed to be partially or completely conductive as a conductor jacket 112, so that the electrical contact can be established without the contact elements 103 completely penetrating the conductors 102. In all variants shown, the plastic frame element 101 can comprise a sealing plastic for sealing purposes, which can be provided on both sides along the upper groove edge of the plastic frame element 101, for example by means of co-extrusion. This protects the contact or arrangement from adverse environmental conditions after the plastic frame element 101 has been mounted on the surface element 105.

The Figures 5a and 5b show connecting elements 114 for connecting two plastic strip elements 101 according to the invention with electrical conductors 102 located therein.

The Figure 5a shows a connection in which two plastic strip elements 101 with electrical conductors 102 located therein are connected to one another at a 90 ° angle to one another by means of a connecting element 114. Electrical conductors 102 are located in the connecting element 114, so that the electrical connection between the plastic strip elements 101 is ensured.

The Figure 5b shows a longitudinal connection of two plastic strip elements 101 with electrical conductors 102 located therein. This connection is made by two connecting elements 114 with electrical conductors 102 located therein. The two connecting elements 114 in turn are then connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. Alternatively, the two connecting elements 114 shown for the longitudinal connection of two plastic strip elements 101 can also be combined into an assembly 115 or made in one piece.

Reference symbol list

100

Bar arrangement

101

Plastic frame element

102

electrical conductor

103

Cutting contact/piercing contact (second contact element)

104

Coupling element

105

surface element

106

Circumferential contact

107

Perimeter section

108

first contact element

109

electrically conductive plastic

110

Elastomer/plastic

111

surface element side groove leg area

112

Plastic jacket of a conductor/conductor jacket

113

electrically insulating layer

114

connecting element

115

module

Claims (12)

1. Connection assembly comprising an electrified planar element (105) in the form of a glass pane or a laminated glass pane and comprising a strip arrangement (100) for establishing an electrical connection between the electrified planar element (105), which is formed with a peripheral electrical contact (106), and an electrical device, wherein the strip arrangement (100) comprises a plastic frame element (101) having an electrical conductor (102) and being adapted to be disposed along a peripheral portion (107) of the planar element (105), the peripheral portion (107) including the peripheral contact (106), wherein the plastic frame element (101) has a U-shaped cross section and extends between two ends, wherein the conductor (102) extends between the two ends of the plastic frame element (101) along the plastic frame element (101) and on a side facing the planar element (105) so that, when the plastic frame element (101) is attached to the peripheral portion (107) and the peripheral portion (107) is received between the legs of the plastic frame element (101), an electrical connection is automatically established between the electrical conductor (102) extending between the two ends of the plastic frame element (101) and the peripheral contact (106).
2. Connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (102, 109) is implemented using an electrically conductive plastic material and/or using a metal.
3. Connection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor (102), on a side facing the planar element (105), is surrounded by the plastic frame element (101) at least along a portion or portions thereof and/or, on a side facing the planar element (105), at least partially bears against the plastic frame element (101) and/or, on a side facing the planar element (105), forms a portion of the surface of the plastic frame element (101).
4. Connection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that for purposes of establishing the connection, a plurality of first contact elements (108) are provided along the conductor (102).
5. Connection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductor (102) and the contact elements (108) are formed in one piece.
6. Connection assembly according to any of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that an electrically conductive coupling element (104), which is freely positionable along the conductor (102), is provided along the conductor (102).
7. Connection assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrically conductive coupling element (104) has second contact elements (103) for electrically contacting the conductor (102) and/or the peripheral contact (106).
8. Connection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one connecting element (114) connected to the strip arrangement (100) and having a conductor (102) which is electrically connected to the conductor (102) of the strip arrangement (100).
9. Connection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a wall comprising a plurality of planar elements (105).
10. Strip arrangement (100) for use in a connection assembly according to any of the preceding claims, for establishing an electrical connection between an electrified planar element (105), which is formed with a peripheral electrical contact (106), and an electrical device, wherein the strip arrangement (100) comprises a plastic frame element (101) having an electrical conductor (102) and being adapted to be disposed along a peripheral portion (107) of the planar element (105), the peripheral portion (107) including the peripheral contact (106), wherein the plastic frame element (101) has a U-shaped cross section and extends between two ends, wherein the conductor (102) extends between the two ends of the plastic frame element (101) along the plastic frame element (101) and on a side facing the planar element (105) so that, when the plastic frame element (101) is attached to the peripheral portion (107) while the peripheral portion (107) is received between the legs of the plastic frame element (101), an electrical connection is automatically establishable between the electrical conductor (102) extending between the two ends of the plastic frame element (101) and the peripheral contact (106), wherein the conductor (102) is metallic and is overmolded or covered by an electrically conductive plastic material (109) at least along a portion or portions thereof and at least on a side facing the planar element (105).
11. Strip arrangement (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that an electrically conductive coupling element (104), which is freely positionable along the conductor (102), is provided along the conductor (102).
12. Strip arrangement (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the electrically conductive coupling element (104) has second contact elements (103) for electrically contacting the conductor (102) and/or the peripheral contact (106).

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